Jill Greenhalgh - Director of the Magdalena Project

Dear CPR

I have tried to start this letter many times. My failure to continue is rooted, I am sure, in the fact that this decision seems incomprehensible.

I cannot understand why the Arts Council of Wales would make such a myopic and final decision on a company that has consistently brought such fantastic and valuable artistic opportunities and projects to Wales for the last 30 years. Projects that have nurtured and inspired welsh practitioners, given access to international work of high quality and renown to welsh audiences, challenging the dangers of artistic complacency and parochialism that can all too easily could set in in a small and marginalised country.

I don’t understand what Wales wants. Reading the current arts policies it would seem that CPR’s expertise, experience and vision tick all the boxes. What were they doing wrong? And who, I sincerely ask, could do this work better in this country.

I don’t understand why, until now, this company has not been given much greater levels of support and investment. I don’t understand that the professional bodies elected to administer the arts in Wales do not recognise the esteem with which this organisation is held worldwide and celebrate their achievements. And build on those achievements. I don’t understand the decisions about the re-allocation of the money saved through cutting this organisation.

The only answer I can find is that is that the Arts Council of Wales just simply doesn’t understand.
It is a shame and a pity and incomprehensibly short sighted.

I am lost for words.

Jill Greenhalgh
Director of the Magdalena Project